Re-think that generic coffee mug – try one of these cute DIY teacher gifts instead!
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“Teacher gifts” can be a touchy subject for some. Some people don’t think it should be common practice; after all, we don’t make a practice of giving “doctor gifts” or “janitor gifts”. (Maybe we should?) Others give gifts begrudgingly, grabbing a $10 gift card in the checkout line while they’re doing their grocery shopping. Then there are those who are wholeheartedly into the teacher gift idea but have no idea where to start—eventually settling on a cute mug that will join the dozens of other “cute mugs” the teacher in question has been given over the years. And then there are those who embark on a journey to find the perfect gift for their child’s teacher.
This post is for those last two types of people. The ones who know their kids’ teachers deserve an awesome gift.
I don’t have kids, so I’ve never had to go hunting for teacher gifts—but my best friend is a teacher and I’ve heard some stories about the things she has to put up with. (How do you do it? How do you remain sane? Girl, I know you know I admire you but I’m putting it here so my admiration is memorialized.)
But I digress. You’re not here to read about how amazing teachers are. You’re here for the crafts!
For us makers, gift-giving opportunities are craft opportunities. So dig out your art supplies, get that shopping list ready, and let’s dig into some awesome DIY teacher gifts that are sure to impress the educators in your life. Let’s get crafting!
01. A Pen Holder Lanyard Attachment
There is something so intensely frustrating about needing a pen and not being able to find one. Spare the teacher(s) in your life that annoyance with this lanyard penholder attachment. They can clip it onto a lanyard they already have/wear, or you can make a lanyard to match!
02. A Triple Zipper Pencil Case
This triple zipper pencil case is ridiculously cute and has so many potential uses. There’s the obvious—pens, pencils, markers, etc. But they could also use it at home for makeup, first aid supplies, medications, and more! Gifts that aren’t limited to classroom use are the best.
03. A Fabric Book Sleeve
If your teacher is a book lover, help them protect their books with a fabric book sleeve. This is another simple pattern that can be made in a hurry. Find some teacher-themed fabric, or go with something a little more neutral depending on their tastes. This is another gift that pairs really well with a bookstore gift card or a book they’ve said they really want to read.
04. A Travel Pillow
For those teachers who make the most of their summer by traveling, this neck pillow would be a great gift. Plus, the odds are good they’re not going to be gifted this by their other students. After dealing with kids all year, add a little comfort to their much-needed vacation time with a handmade travel neck pillow.
05. A Wristlet Keychain
Give that teacher in your life a super cute way to carry around their keys. This is such a simple DIY, but I love making them. Why not make this wristlet keychain and a card pouch with a spa gift card? You’ll definitely win at gift-giving this year!
06. A Card Pouch
A lot of people limit “teacher gifts” to “teachery” things but this is another practical gift that the teacher in your life can use both in and out of the classroom. Don’t forget that you should never gift a wallet, coin purse, or card holder empty! Toss in a gift card for the local coffee shop, bookstore, spa, or nail salon.
07. A Polymer Clay Book Necklace
Necklaces aren’t for everyone, but if you’re looking for a unique gift for a teacher who is known to wear big and colorful jewelry already, why not give this polymer clay necklace a try? Try to find out their favorite colors for an extra thoughtful touch. Not sure they’re into necklaces? You can make the clay book stack and add it to a keychain or bag charm instead!
08. A Ruler Crate
This Instagram post doesn’t have a tutorial that I could find, but you should be able to create something similar with the image as inspiration. This is such a cute idea and you can fill it with so many different things. Flowers definitely, but also sweets, books, or art supplies.
09. Vintage Art Notebook
There are hundreds of thousands of digitized pieces of artwork out there ready for you to create something new with them! From printable wall art to custom notebooks, there are countless projects you could undertake with vintage art.
10. A Reusable Shopping Bag
Many people are trying to be more environmentally friendly and want to move away from using plastic bags when shopping. These reusable grocery bags are such a great gift because they fold up and can easily fit into any bag so you always have one on the go. They also won’t take up room in the back of your car or your trunk if that’s where you prefer to store your reusable bags. Plus, it’s an awesome addition to that Walmart, Target, or Whole Foods gift card you were going to gift them anyway!
Will you try any of these DIY teacher gifts?
Of course, a lot of these DIYs are suitable for more general gift-giving. You don’t have to be a teacher to love a reusable shopping bag or a card pouch! Don’t forget about the librarians, EAs, gym teachers, and other educators crucial to your child’s education. Does your child take a bus to get to school? The bus driver might appreciate a little gift too! And if the thought of making that many little gifts seems daunting, start early or make a bunch and keep a box of educator gifts on hand for when those gift-giving occasions sneak up on you!
Show off your DIY teacher gifts on Instagram! Use hashtags #theserialcreative and #diyteachergifts
For more gift ideas, check out my gift ideas archive here. You’ll also find some great ideas in my free patterns archive, which you can find here.
